❄️Winter whispers Tuesday
Low-pressure system drifts over area. Clouds increase with scattered rain showers, isolated thunderstorms and possible hail. Troodos peaks may see sleet or snow in the morning, easing by afternoon. Winds NE to SE, light to moderate. Seas slight to slightly rough, rougher along northern shores. Daytime highs near 18°C inland, 20°C on coasts, 9°C in high mountains. Evening partly cloudy, coastal showers persist, mountain sleet or snow possible. Wednesday (Christmas Eve) partly cloudy with isolated showers. Thursday (Christmas Day) cloudier at times with isolated showers and a chance of a thunder cell after midday. Friday continues showery mainly after noon. Temperatures slightly above seasonal average.
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😱Woman killed after struck by van on Nicosia–Limassol motorway
Tragedy days before Christmas at Skarinou. 71‑year‑old Sylvia Georgiou Jones from Limassol parked on the hard shoulder and briefly exited her car. Returning to it around 10:40 while the motorway was heading to Limassol, she was struck by a passing van driven by a 64‑year‑old man from Nicosia. Two passengers in her car witnessed the incident. She was taken to Larnaca General Hospital with severe injuries and died. Driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs and was arrested for causing death by negligence and careless driving.
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🎤 Gavriel: "I'll Be More Determined" — Thanks Supporters, Counter‑Protest
Dozens rallied outside the Deputy Ministry of Culture. Slogan: "art that does not disturb is mere decoration." Rally by the Alliance Against the Far Right after an attack on Giorgos Gavriel's home. Gavriel thanked supporters and vowed to press on, saying hypocrisy and corruption will surface in his work. Protesters handed a resolution urging the state to defend freedom of expression. Speakers warned fascism can wear ties and robes. Opposite, a small counter‑group displayed icons and "sacrilege is not art" banners. Police maintained order.
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🗣️Cyprus, Greece and Israel deepen strategic axis at Jerusalem summit
10th trilateral summit in Jerusalem. Leaders signed Joint Declaration to deepen cooperation on security, energy and connectivity; annual summits and tighter ministerial coordination agreed. Security steps cover counter‑terrorism, maritime protection and military ties; Maritime Cybersecurity Center in Cyprus planned for 2026. Energy focus on gas, renewables and the Great Sea Interconnector. On Gaza: call for humanitarian access, release of remaining hostage and disarmament of Hamas; Israel's right to self‑defense affirmed under international law. Antisemitism condemned; support for a Cyprus settlement reiterated.
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🔪Vendetta in Limassol over loan sharking, protection and drugs
Vendetta erupts in central Limassol among people of Arab origin, allegedly over loan sharking, protection rackets and drug deals. In retaliation for an attack on a 36‑year‑old group leader, hooded men smashed the barber shop of a 30‑year‑old wanted suspect. At 01:40 two masked men shattered the glass display and caused extensive damage. The barber is near the café where the attempted murder of the 36‑year‑old Syrian occurred last Saturday on Independence Street. Police provided temporary guards but cannot stay constantly. Victim in serious condition; both men known to authorities. The 36‑year‑old had been monitored by intelligence and was on a list for possible deportation. Rival groups reportedly had open scores over protection and drugs.
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🧑‍🎓Parliament Approves Teacher Evaluation Framework
House approves new Public Educational Service law and teacher evaluation rules for primary and secondary education. Education Minister Athina Michaelidou calls it a historic reform, says it provides a pedagogical basis for professional development and will be rolled out gradually with clear steps. Teachers’ union POED, led by Myria Vasileiou, says the law passed despite gaps, without educators’ consent and objects to principals’ role in numerical evaluations. POED warns the parliamentary majority bears responsibility for any failures and will meet to decide next steps, urging tangible state support for schools.
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💵JCC payment issues — ATM queues reported
Reports of problems with JCC payments and cash withdrawals have emerged in recent hours. Customers nationwide report failed card payments at shops and declined ATM withdrawals; long queues forming at several ATMs and users sharing photos. Attempts to complete purchases or withdraw cash often show errors or timeouts. No official statement from JCC so far. Banks and merchants are monitoring the incident; users advised to use alternative payment methods where possible. More updates to follow.
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📝Teacher evaluation: reactions and next steps after vote
no substantive convergence; parliamentary amendments insufficient. Director still involved in final assessment. Possible mobilizations after study of final text.

OELMEK: notes positive changes — merger of training programs, scale 1–100 → 1–40, assistant director removed, independent appeals body, ministry must set clear criteria within two months — but retains serious reservations about application and inspector‑advisor role.

Parliament committee: three‑year transitional period, independent review, dialogue open until early March.

Education Minister: rollout begins; training and monitoring committee to oversee implementation.
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🎤President photographed with lone female volunteer in National Guard
President Nikos Christodoulides posed for a photograph with Sotiroula Spanou, the only woman who volunteered to enlist in the National Guard. He visited the Recruit Training Centre (KEN) in Larnaca ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Camp personnel sang carols; the President greeted all recruits and staff and wished them Merry Christmas. He exchanged brief words with trainees, praised their commitment and highlighted recognition of voluntary service and the morale of the forces during the festive period.
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🚔Israeli Beaten in Limassol — Police Say Dispute Was Among Israelis
Israeli media reported a young Israeli was attacked at a Limassol hotel after speaking Hebrew, claiming assailants heard him at the entrance and that he later returned to Israel for eye surgery. Police say those accounts are incorrect: the incident occurred during a confrontation among Israelis at a hotel event. The man reportedly clashed with fellow nationals and submitted a written statement saying he has no complaint. Case under investigation by Episkopi Police Station.
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❄️Weather for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Low pressure affects the area. Tonight partly cloudy, isolated showers mainly along coasts. Winds NW to NE, light, 3 Bft. Sea calm to slight. Temperatures fall to about 9°C inland, 12°C coasts, 4°C high mountains; frost possible in sheltered mountain spots.

Tomorrow partly cloudy, isolated showers mainly from midday. Winds NE to SE, light to moderate, 3–4 Bft. Sea slight. Temps around 19°C inland, 21°C coasts, 10°C high terrain. Night partly cloudy, isolated coastal showers.

Thursday (Christmas) partly cloudy first, local rains after midday, isolated thunder possible. Friday–Saturday intermittent clouds, isolated rain or storms mainly afternoons. Temperatures little changed, slightly above seasonal averages.
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🚔Police urges action on scooters riding on roads and motorways
Police note illegal circulation of e-scooters and personal mobility devices on roads and motorways. Traffic Department Sub-Inspector Tasos Asiekkis says these devices may be used only where the speed limit does not exceed 30 km/h. Still, they are observed on higher-speed roads and even on motorways. At speeds above 30 km/h the chances of a pedestrian surviving a collision fall sharply. Police recommend amending the law so officers can detain or seize devices used in non-permitted areas.
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📝Data Protection Commissioner Issues Guidance to Parties on SMS and Email
Commissioner for Personal Data Protection sent guidance to political parties last Friday. The move follows numerous complaints in pre-election periods about receiving SMS and emails with political content and candidate promotion. Parties have been asked to inform their candidates of obligations under the Personal Data Protection Law concerning sending messages and making calls. The Authority says further updates will follow about other legal provisions governing the use of personal data by parties, political movements and independent candidates.
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💵Cyprus approves 8.8% minimum wage rise, effective Jan 2026
Cabinet approves increase after review of economic and social conditions. Monthly minimum for full‑time employees with at least six months with the same employer rises from €1,000 to €1,088; for workers with under six months it rises from €900 to €979. Decision aims to protect incomes while preserving business viability. Authorities cited inflation (1.8% in 2024, 0.2% projected for 2025), strong growth forecasts (3.9% and 3.4%) and falling unemployment (4.9% to 4.3%). About 50,000 workers to benefit. Minimum Wage Adjustment Committee to monitor effects in 2026.
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🫣Limassol: Sexual abuse of vulnerable 16‑year‑old
Court sentenced two 34‑year‑old Egyptian men to 8 and 3 years after they admitted sexual abuse of a minor with intellectual disabilities in a Limassol park last year. Victim was 16.5; evaluations noted ADHD, emotional difficulties, immaturity, impulsivity and below‑average cognitive level. After the assault she, distressed, sought help from a nearby couple who brought her to police. One man had entered Cyprus legally and later joined voluntary return after his permit lapsed; the other lived illegally since Nov 2023. A third person is charged, denies involvement; hearing set early 2026.
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